46 for sure. I really enjoyed doing things by myself in my 20s and most of my 30s. Then I had a couple of falls and no one came to help me so I kind of retreated from that. With my osteoporosis diagnosis I literally can’t afford to fall now so I’m kind of back to square 1 and having to figure out how not to let myself become a total hermit out of fear. Have to admit I enjoy some fireball whiskey though 😂
As usual Chris this is a great piece of writing and I can tell it comes from the heart.
I was nodding at so many of them. But what I realised as I was reading was that although you've related them to your disease throughout, the majority of these "mistakes" are just a symptom of being human. We all crash and burn all the time. It reminds me of that quote by Buchner " this is the world, terrible and beautiful things will happen, do not be afraid"
Continue being authentic in your writing Chris, take it from me, we're all sitting here nodding and going, yup, me too!
Working backward - #1 is SO important - I talk about asking for help with my students, my patients and families, and my friends constantly! Asking for help is the hardest thing to do. I live with Type 1 diabetes, and my mom did too (diagnosed in 1948 when it was a whole different game). She taught me to be fiercely self-reliant and self-managing (to my detriment in many ways, for a long time - you need a team!). But it was when she passed away at 80 (from caregiving stress NOT diabetes) that she taught me the most important lesson as I took over caregiving for my dad - delegate, ask for help, don't go it alone!
And I so hear you about #40 - I won a big social work award for my dissertation research at a national conference and they called me up as "May-uh Dole". And I once had my whole name squashed into "Myadora" which I ought to use as my gamer tag. : )
This post (and the 100->51) were great. Really instructive for lots of people. Thanks Chris.
Extra points for the “Dodgeball” Jason Bateman reference. 😊
Thanks! I just watched Dodgeball a few weeks ago for the first time in 15 years. It was top of mind!
46 for sure. I really enjoyed doing things by myself in my 20s and most of my 30s. Then I had a couple of falls and no one came to help me so I kind of retreated from that. With my osteoporosis diagnosis I literally can’t afford to fall now so I’m kind of back to square 1 and having to figure out how not to let myself become a total hermit out of fear. Have to admit I enjoy some fireball whiskey though 😂
😬
As usual Chris this is a great piece of writing and I can tell it comes from the heart.
I was nodding at so many of them. But what I realised as I was reading was that although you've related them to your disease throughout, the majority of these "mistakes" are just a symptom of being human. We all crash and burn all the time. It reminds me of that quote by Buchner " this is the world, terrible and beautiful things will happen, do not be afraid"
Continue being authentic in your writing Chris, take it from me, we're all sitting here nodding and going, yup, me too!
Vivienne
Thanks Vivienne! Yes, most of these mistakes are applicable to everyone. Except maybe thermonuclear hot wings 😂
Working backward - #1 is SO important - I talk about asking for help with my students, my patients and families, and my friends constantly! Asking for help is the hardest thing to do. I live with Type 1 diabetes, and my mom did too (diagnosed in 1948 when it was a whole different game). She taught me to be fiercely self-reliant and self-managing (to my detriment in many ways, for a long time - you need a team!). But it was when she passed away at 80 (from caregiving stress NOT diabetes) that she taught me the most important lesson as I took over caregiving for my dad - delegate, ask for help, don't go it alone!
And I so hear you about #40 - I won a big social work award for my dissertation research at a national conference and they called me up as "May-uh Dole". And I once had my whole name squashed into "Myadora" which I ought to use as my gamer tag. : )
Thanks Maya! (Er, Myadora :))
Such a great list, Chris—#41 is my own eternal nemesis! 😫